Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Clinic is introducing operations changes that include reducing its workforce after announcing last Wednesday that it will cut $330 million from their 2014 budget.

The changes will help the organization prepare for changes in health care, many introduced by the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

It issued the following written statement to NewsChannel5 on Friday:

"Many factors are driving an unprecedented transformation in healthcare today. The United States needs a healthcare system designed to care for the current and future population. A rise in chronic diseases and obesity, an aging population, new technologies and medications, and a shift in how providers are being reimbursed from both government and private payors, have contributed to the need for a dramatic change in the way healthcare is delivered to patients.

Over the last several years, Cleveland Clinic has had an ongoing focus on driving efficiencies, lowering costs, reducing duplication in services and enhancing quality to make healthcare more affordable. Cleveland Clinic supports our nation's efforts to bring healthcare costs under control and will work with national, state and local entities as the Affordable Care Act is implemented. As the healthcare landscape changes, uncertainty remains and hospitals must make responsible decisions to ensure resources are being managed appropriately.

We are carefully evaluating all aspects of our system to accomplish this and prepare for the future. Some of the initiatives include offering early retirement to 3,000 eligible employees, reducing operational costs, stricter review of filling vacant positions and lastly workforce reductions. This process will be ongoing and part of this transformation in healthcare.

Through these changing times, we are focused on providing the highest quality care to our patients in the most efficient and cost-effective manner."

Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.